Construction of Two More Malaysia Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessels to Proceed – Minister

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The construction of two additional Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will continue despite the termination of the original contract with the shipbuilder last year.

The announcement was made today by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

According to him, the Secretary-General of the Home Ministry, Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, has been tasked with reviewing all relevant matters, including identifying a new shipbuilding company to undertake the OPV project.

“As we are aware, the MMEA has only received one of the three OPVs—Maritime Vessel (KM) Tun Fatimah—which is already in service, safeguarding the nation’s waters.

“However, the remaining two OPVs have yet to be delivered, leading to a Cabinet decision for a mutual termination of the contract. As such, I have set a clear direction that the project must continue,” he said in Putrajaya today.

Earlier reports indicated that the government had terminated its contract with THHE Destini Sdn Bhd (TDSB) after the company failed to complete the construction of the remaining two OPVs.

In a parliamentary response last week, Saifuddin Nasution confirmed that the contract termination was finalized on December 31, 2024.

He also revealed that the company had been subjected to Liquidated and Ascertained Damages (LAD) exceeding RM12 million due to delays in completing OPV 2 and OPV 3.

Saifuddin Nasution further stated that the government had already spent over RM600 million on the construction of the three OPVs, yet only one vessel was delivered by the contractor.

“We have spent a significant amount. This is an issue inherited from the previous administration. However, we are not here to play the ‘blame game’,” he said.

The government initially signed a contract with THHE Destini in 2017 to procure three OPVs for the MMEA at a cost of RM740 million, with the vessels originally scheduled for delivery in 2022.

However, financial difficulties faced by THHE and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in construction delays at the shipyard in Pulau Indah.

The first OPV, KM Tun Fatimah, measuring 83 meters in length and 13.7 meters in width, is capable of reaching a top speed of 21 knots.

It is equipped with facilities such as a helicopter landing pad and detention rooms, and was officially handed over to the agency last year.

Designed based on the Damen 1800 model, the OPVs are capable of operating at sea for up to 21 days without resupply.

They can reach speeds of 21 knots and are equipped with advanced systems, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), a 30mm Aselsan Smash cannon, two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), and a Fast Interceptor Craft.

The vessels are also designed to perform various roles, including Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, serving as a logistics ship, mothership, command vessel, and storage platform for oil pollution equipment.

Additionally, the OPVs are fitted with X and S Band radar systems, enabling wide-area patrols, and can accommodate up to 70 crew members per deployment.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA